The Best iPad Mini Keyboard Cases and Covers Reviewed

There’s nothing worse than having a thought or idea and then not being able to capture it. The iPad Mini is an ultra-portable tablet that will more often than not be with you when you have that great idea, or that e-mail you need to send off right away. There’s one problem: the onscreen keyboard is tiny. Even smaller than the regular iPad keyboard. Having a case that can protect your iPad Mini as well as having a keyboard on hand whenever you need it can be a lifesaver for your out-of-the-blue ideas.

Three reasons to get a keyboard case for your iPad Mini:

Keyboard cases travel better than Bluetooth keyboards by themselves. I bought an Apple wireless keyboard for my first generation iPad, and keys would start to come out after being in my backpack. The picture on the right is of my second Bluetooth keyboard from Apple.

You’re able to capture a thought when you have it. Just press a keyboard button to connect and you can type away.

Most cases have the keyboard as removable. So if you don’t need it for a while you can remove it for even more portability.

1. Zagg iPad Mini Keyboard Case: 7″ and 9″

Zagg actually offers two different versions of their keyboard cases, a 7″ version and a larger 9″ version that’s only one inch smaller than a regular iPad. Both models are the same price, coming in at $89.99. After trying them both out the 9″ is by far the more comfortable keyboard to type on. The 7″ was very cramped feeling. They both have high quality Zagg Bluetooth keyboards that are responsive. It’s just with the 7″ keyboard I felt like my hands were bumping into each other as I typed.
The case itself is made of a hard PU leather material that is nice to feel and easy to grip (cases that are too smooth are asking for trouble!). The hard clam shell case sits the iPad Mini on one side and the keyboard on the other. Whereas the 7″ case hugs the Mini inside its case, the 9″ has room on either side. It has a flip kickstand in the back that holds the iPad Mini at just the right angle for a long writing session.

Specs:

Smart Cover Functionality? No.

Weight: 10.7 ounces for the 7″ model, and 12.7 ounces for the 9″ model.

Warranty: Zagg offers a 1 year manufacturer warranty, and a 45-day Money Back Guarantee on your purchase.

Material: PU Leather

Price: $89.99

See the Zagg iPad Mini Keyboard Case in Action:

This video by Zagg describes how they came up with a smaller keyboard that maximizes the space to make the typing experience pretty much the same as a regular full size iPad.

2. Kensington iPad Mini Removable Keyboard Case

If there’s one thing Kensington does well its design. The award winning company took the formidable task of attempting to make a keyboard for the 7.9″ iPad Mini that didn’t feel cramped. Zagg side stepped the issue a bit by coming out with a 9″ version of their case. But Kensington didn’t do that. They created a slim, flat keyboard that folds flat for extra portability. Besides the Belkin case, this is the thinnest keyboard case on this list. The tactile keyboard is a pleasure to write on. If you do a lot of writing for extended periods, then you know that the keyboard you’re using makes all the difference. Of all the keyboard cases, this one has the best keyboard.
The case also has velcro fasteners to keep your iPad Mini securely locked into place. You also have multiple viewing angles, ranging from 20 to 70 degrees. The keyboard itself is removable for extra portability, and the case folds flat for easy storage when not in use.

Specs:

Smart Cover Functionality? No.

Weight: 0.9 lbs.

Dimensions: 1.4″ thickness

Cut outs for Ports: Yes

Warranty: 12 month warranty from Kensington.

Material:

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3. Belkin iPad Mini Removable Keyboard Case

This is the thinnest keyboard case, measuring in at only 1″ thickness (the closest competitor is the 1.4″ Kensington case above). The keyboard itself is designed to lay completely flat. This is both a good and a bad thing. It makes for an incredibly thin and compact case that folds flat when it’s closed. Keyboards are also inclined for a reason, as to ease the strain on our wrists as we type. Of course, when you only have a paltry 7 inches of space to work with, something has to give. The other benefit is that the case folds backward neatly, so that you can start reading a book at a moment’s notice. Don’t get me wrong, the keyboard worked fine for the few hours I used it, and I didn’t have sore wrists after that. If you want a sleek and smooth keyboard case and will use the keyboard mainly for firing off quick emails, this is the most portable case on this list. If you’re going to be doing long writing sessions, then the Kensington might be more your style.

Specs:

Smart Cover Functionality? No.

Weight: 11.2 ounches

Dimensions: 1″ thickness

Cut outs for Ports: Yes, even a cut out for the camera for taking pictures and video at a moment’s notice.

Warranty: 1 year warranty

Material: PU Leather on the outside; grip suede on the inside.

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4. Poetic Keybook iPad Mini Case

Poetic’s Keyboard Case is the first ‘budget’ case on this list, but it does holds some advantages over the previous cases. For one, this keyboard case is the first to support the iPad Mini’s sleep/wake function, which is an important feature for many battery-conscious tablet owners. Another cool feature is the spill-proof rubberized keys. This means that if you spill your Starbucks on your case, it will shake it off like it was nothing. That’s a neat feature if you’re living in a wet climate (like I am). The downside of this case is the flap enclosure that keeps your case sealed. When the case is opened, the flap kind of sits there between your forearms as you type. The flap also isn’t ideal if you decide to do some reading, as it still hangs out there. Still, it’s a versatile and budget conscious case.

Specs:

Smart Cover Functionality? Yes.

Cut outs for Ports: Yes.

Warranty: 3 Year Warranty from Poetic

Material: PU Leather with Rubberized Keys

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5. Boxwave iPad Mini Swivel Keyboard Case

Boxwave has two excellent cases: the Keyboard Buddy case and the Swivel Case. We’re featuring the swivel case because it offers something no other case on this list has: the ability to switch between landscape and portrait mode. If you need to see something better, or change the angle on skype, the back of the iPad Mini has a swivel feature so you can pick it up and move it around. The case is the kind of practical and pretty case you get from Boxwave, one of the most underrated case-makers. It folds out three ways, creating a larger viewing distance between you and the viewing screen. If you do lots of writing this is actually a neat feature, as the tablet isn’t hovering over the keyboard and creates this relaxing sense of space. The case has indents for multiple viewing angles as well. This case doesn’t have the design excellence of the Kensington case, but it looks pretty and is as practical as it gets.